Ladder for picking fruit or the like

ABSTRACT

A ladder structure for picking tree fruit, or the like, is provided comprising a plurality of vertically spaced fruitreceiving troughs, each communicating with a generally vertical support member of tubular construction defining a fruit-handling passageway which terminates at an exit opening for dispensing the picked fruit into an appropriate container. The fruit-handling passageways may be provided with a dispensing door at its exit opening which is operable from any location along the length of the ladder.

[ Nov. 12, 1974 United States Patent [1 1 Gulley, Sr.

[ LADDER FOR PICKING FRUIT OR THE LIKE Primary ExaminerReinaldo P. Machado Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. O'Brien; Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A ladder structure for picking tree fruit. or the like, is

[22] Filed:

2| Appl. Ni; 345.296

provided comprising a plurality of vertically spaced fruit-receiving troughs, each communicating with a U s 193/7 generally vertical support member of tubular conlltt. B659, ll/00 slrucmm defining a fruiphandling passageway which Field of 182/49; 193/7 terminates at an exit Opening for dispensing the picked fruit into an appropriate container. The fruit-handling passageways may be provided with a dispensing door [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS at its exit opening which is operable from any location along the length of the ladder.

2,032,258 2/l936 Caton 182/49 3,580,359 5/1971 182/49 Akermanis...................

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIED NOV 12 EW- 6 [HI m LADDER FOR PICKING FRUIT OR THE LIKE The present invention is generally related to harvesting devices and, more particularly, to an improved ladder construction for picking tree fruit, or the like.

In the past, various types of ladders and other harvestingdevices have been provided to aid in the picking of tree fruit. One such device is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 3,580,359 to Akermanis, issued May 25, 1971. Basically, the Akermanis device is comprised of a ladder with a fruit-handling channel in one of the side supports,a plurality of vertically spaced holes are provided along the length of the channel, each hole being adapted to receive an outlet fitting associated with a removable fruit-receiving basket. The basket is positioned with its opening in alignment with a selected one of the holes in the channel and is fastened to one of the ladder rungs by way of a pair of hook members and an elastic cord. A picker using the Akermanis device must position the receiving basket close to the desired working level on the ladder and securely fasten such in place by way of the hook members and elastic cord. If the picker changes levels, he must disconnect the fruitreceiving basket and remount it at the new working level. Also, once the fruit is placed in the basket, it is beyond the control of the picker and is automatically exited from the bottom of the channel under the influence of gravity.

It is an object of'the present invention to provide a tree fruit-picking ladder which overcomes the abovementioned shortcomings to provide a more efficient means of picking tree fruit. Another object of the present invention is to provide a unique ladder structure with a'pair of fruit-handling passageways, one of which permits the fruit to automatically exit while the other is provided with a dispensing door which may be selectivelyoperated by the picker from any location on the ladder to allow the accumulated fruit to be dispensed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a versatile ladder structure with a plurality of fruitreceiving troughs spaced along the length of the ladder such that at least one of the troughs will be within easy reach of a picker, regardless of his position on the ladder.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel ladder structure for aiding in the expeditious, picking of tree fruit, or the like, and which is of relatively simple construction which is economical to manufacture and maintain.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout,

- and in which:

Referring now, more particularly, to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the ladder structure of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10 and includes a pair of rigid longitudinal side support members 12 and 14 which are transversely spaced from each other and, preferably, angle slightly inwardly toward each other in the upward direction to provide stability to the ladder structure. A plurality of vertically spaced ladder rungs 16 extend transversely between support members 12 and 14 and are appropriately fastened thereto by welding, bolting, or other conventional fastening means. A plurality of fruit-receiving troughs 18 are vertically spaced from each other and extend transversely between support members 14. Each trough is provided with an upper opening 20 which is of appropriate size for receiving fruit after it has been picked. The opposite transverse ends of each trough member terminate at apertures 22 formed in the side walls of the associated support member to permit the fruit to enter a passageway defined by the support member, as hereinafter explained.

A dispensing hood or housing 24 is attached to the lower end of support member 14 and is adapted to be positioned over a fruit basket, or other container, for dispensing fruit thereto. A dispensing door 26 is reciprocally mounted to housing 24 and is operatively connected to an actuator rod 28 extending along the side of support member 14 along a substantial length thereof. Actuator rod 28 is reciprocally mounted in place by way of eyelets 30 or other appropriate fastening means connected to the sides of support member 14. An inclined fruit-handling chute 32 extends downwardly from support member 12 and terminates within the confines of dispensing housing 24 to deliver fruit thereto.

Referring now, more particularly, to'FlG. 2, it will be observed that the upper end of actuation ro d28 is provided with a handle portion 34 which extends outwardly from support member 14 to permit convenient operation of the dispensing door. By vertical movement of actuation rod 28, dispensing door 26 may be easily opened. A leaf spring member 36 affixed to the side of support member 14 presses against actuation rod 28 to maintain it in the selected open or closed position. It will also be observed that support member 14 is provided with elongated access slots 38 which are appropriately spaced along its length to provide convenient removal of twigs, leaves, or other debris which might accumulate over a period of time.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be observed that each of the trough members 18 is provided with bottom interior surfaces which are sloped toward the associated support members 12, or 14. The support members are of a generally tubular construction defining fruit-handling passageways 40 and 42 which are in communication with the opposite transverse ends of the trough members 18. Thus, fruit placed in any one of the trough members rolls down the sloped bottom surfaces into the nearest fruit-handling passageway 40 or 42. A fruit picker utilizing the ladder structure of the present invention locates himself at the desired position along the length of the ladder and deposits the picked fruit in the most convenient trough 18. If the fruit is placed on the right side of sloped surface 43, it rolls into passageway 42 of support member 14. On the other hand, if the fruit picker places the fruit on the left side of the trough, it rolls into passageway 40 associated with support member 12. This is best illustrated in FIG. 4 .of the drawings.

It will be appreciated that dispensing door 26 is mounted immediately adjacent tothe exit opening of passageway. 42 and is reciprocal between an opened position and a closed position, illustrated in solid and dash, respectively, in FIG. 4, whereby the dispensing of the fruit into a container, or the like, may be selectively controlled by the fruit picker from any location on the ladder. Fruits deposited in passageway 40 continue downwardly through chute 32 provided with an exit opening 33 which remains open at all times independently of dispensing door 26. By providing two separate and distinct fruit-handling passageways 40 and 42, one of which may be closed by way of a dispensing door, a fruit picker utilizing the ladder structure of the present invention may sort the picked fruit, according to size,

quality, or other factors, into two separate groups. Also, it will be appreciated that a fruit picker under some circumstances may not wishthe fruits to fall to the ground, in which event he closes dispensing door 26. Under other circumstances, the door 26 may be selectively closed only momentarily to permit the replacement of a fruit container which has been filled.

Preferably, the ladder structure is provided with pads of sponge rubber, or other appropriate material, mounted at locations 44 and 46 to further prevent bruising or other damage to the fruits as they are advanced through the appropriate passageways. The ladder structure of the present invention may be made of appropriate materials, such as aluminum, alloys, wood, or other materials of sufficient strength. It should be noted thatthe dispensing door actuator may be provided with several actuation handles appropriately spaced along its length for more convenient operation by a fruit picker. It will also be appreciated that it is not intended that the present invention be limited to the number or exact location of rungs or trough members illustrated in the drawings, as the number or exact location of such may be varied in accordance with the ladder length and the particular application. Also, support members. 12 and 14 may be of circular or other configuredcross-section, if so desired.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the'invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. v

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1...A ladder structure for picking tree fruit, or the like, such structure comprising a pair of spaced longitudinal support members, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced fruit-receiving trough members each attached :to and extending transversely between said pair of suphandling passageways, respectively, for convenient delivery of fruits thereto.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said trough members terminates at an aperture in said tubular support member communicating with said fruit-handling passageway.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said trough members includes a pair of side walls defining an upper fruit-receiving opening and a bottom wall inclined toward said tubular support member.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said trough members includes interior fruit-carrying surfaces which are inclined toward the respective tubular support members.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4 together with ,a dispensing door operatively connected to one of said tubular support members to define a closure at the lower end of the associated fruit handling passageway to selectively prevent the exit of fruit therefrom.

6. A ladder structure for picking tree fruit, or the like, said structure comprising first and second spaced longitudinal support members, and at least one fruitreceiving trough member attached to and extending transversely between said supportmembers and including bottom interior surfaces sloped toward the support members, said first support member being of generally tubular construction defining a fruit-handling passageway, said trough member communicating with said fruit-handling passageway for the delivery of fruits thereto, and closure means operatively connected to said tubular support member for selectively closing an exit opening associated with the said passageway to prevent the exit of fruits therefrom, said second longitudinal support member being of generally tubular construction defining a second fruithandling passageway which extends into an inclined chute terminating with a corresponding exit opening at its lower end which is adjacent to and independent of said closure means.

7. The structure set forth in claim 6 wherein said closure means includes a door reciprocally mounted to said tubular support, member and being movable between a closed position and an open position.

8. A ladder structure for picking tree fruit, or the like, said structure comprising first and second spaced longitudinal support members, and at least one fruitreceiving trough member attached to and extending transversely between said support members, said first support member being of generally tubular construction defining a fruit-handling passageway, said trough member communicating with said fruit-handling passageway for the delivery of fruits thereto, and closure means operatively connected to said tubular support member for selectively closing an exit opening associated with the said passageway to prevent the exit of fruits therefrom, said closure means including a door reciprocally mounted to said tubular support member and being movable between a closed position and an open position, said closure means further including an elongated actuator reciprocally mounted longitudinally along a substantial length of said tubular support member and operatively connected to said door for operation operative thereof, said second longitudinal support member being of generally tubular construction defining a second fruit-handling passageway with a corresponding exit opening at its lower end independent of said closure means. 

1. A ladder structure for picking tree fruit, or the like, such structure comprising a pair of spaced longitudinal support members, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced fruit-receiving trough members each attached to and extending transversely between said pair of support members, at least one of said support members being of generally tubular construction defining a fruit-handling passageway, each of said trough members communicating with said fruit-handling passageway for the delivery of fruits thereto, both of said pair of longitudinal support members being of generally tubular construction defining a pair of fruit-handling passageways, the opposite transverse ends of each of said trough members communicating with said fruit-handling passageways, respectively, for convenient delivery of fruits thereto.
 2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said trough members terminates at an aperture in said tubular support member communicating with said fruit-handling passageway.
 3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said trough members includes a pair of side walls defining an upper fruit-receiving opening and a bottom wall inclined toward said tubular support member.
 4. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said trough members includes interior fruit-carrying surfaces which are inclined toward the respective tubular support members.
 5. The structure set forth in claim 4 together with a dispensing door operatively connected to one of said tubular support members to define a closure at the lower end of the associated fruit-handling passagewaY to selectively prevent the exit of fruit therefrom.
 6. A ladder structure for picking tree fruit, or the like, said structure comprising first and second spaced longitudinal support members, and at least one fruit-receiving trough member attached to and extending transversely between said support members and including bottom interior surfaces sloped toward the support members, said first support member being of generally tubular construction defining a fruit-handling passageway, said trough member communicating with said fruit-handling passageway for the delivery of fruits thereto, and closure means operatively connected to said tubular support member for selectively closing an exit opening associated with the said passageway to prevent the exit of fruits therefrom, said second longitudinal support member being of generally tubular construction defining a second fruit-handling passageway which extends into an inclined chute terminating with a corresponding exit opening at its lower end which is adjacent to and independent of said closure means.
 7. The structure set forth in claim 6 wherein said closure means includes a door reciprocally mounted to said tubular support member and being movable between a closed position and an open position.
 8. A ladder structure for picking tree fruit, or the like, said structure comprising first and second spaced longitudinal support members, and at least one fruit-receiving trough member attached to and extending transversely between said support members, said first support member being of generally tubular construction defining a fruit-handling passageway, said trough member communicating with said fruit-handling passageway for the delivery of fruits thereto, and closure means operatively connected to said tubular support member for selectively closing an exit opening associated with the said passageway to prevent the exit of fruits therefrom, said closure means including a door reciprocally mounted to said tubular support member and being movable between a closed position and an open position, said closure means further including an elongated actuator reciprocally mounted longitudinally along a substantial length of said tubular support member and operatively connected to said door for operation operative thereof, said second longitudinal support member being of generally tubular construction defining a second fruit-handling passageway with a corresponding exit opening at its lower end independent of said closure means. 